Dr. Page Walley to seek State Senate seat

Dr. Page Walley, former State Representative and current Vice Mayor of Bolivar, announced he is running for State Senator from the 26th District. Since Senator Dolores Gresham announced she will not be seeking re-election, voters from across the district have reached out to Walley and encouraged him to run.
Walley served five terms in the Tennessee House of Representatives and six years in executive branch leadership under Republican governors as Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services and the Alabama Departments of Children’s Affairs and Human Services. Under his leadership, Alabama became the first state to exceed federal court expectations by fundamentally reforming its child and family services system.
Currently, Walley-a clinical psychologist and licensed minister-works as Chief Public Policy Officer at Saint Francis Ministries, one of the nation’s largest social service providers and advocacy organizations. He partners with local, state, and federal officials to address the complex needs of children, families, and communities. 
“Working with communities in West Tennessee and nationally has shown me firsthand the struggles people face in order to provide for their families. Nothing is more important than the safety and well-being of children and families. Without educated young people and technologically equipped communities, we cannot build the workforce we need and provide the hope our citizens are so desperately seeking.  
“This eight-county district is blessed in so many ways; however, we are also challenged to achieve the hopes and dreams of our people. The majority of our counties are considered economically “distressed” or “at risk.” We need someone who understands how to build upon the strengths we have and to fight for the resources we need so we aren’t being left further behind by other areas of our State.”
As a popular state legislator who served on the Agriculture, Finance, and Health and Human Services Committees, Walley was also known as a problem-solving consensus builder who held more than 800 “Listening Meetings” throughout his district. Walley is a sought-after speaker both here and abroad on issues of faith, family, and community well-being. 
“During the coming weeks, I will visit citizens in communities across the 26th District to learn what they want from their Senator, and to respectfully earn their support.”
The district includes eight West Tennessee counties. They are: Chester, Fayette, Hardeman, McNairy, Hardin, Henderson, Decatur and Haywood.